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Tobacco always had a certain image. It’s been called cool, rebellious, calming — even a way to fit in. But behind all the glossy packaging and flavored clouds is a much harsher truth. Tobacco, in any form, is deeply harmful especially to the heart.
Why So Many Still Fall for It
Tobacco has changed over the years. Cigarettes are no longer the only product people use. Today, it is vapes, e-cigarettes, and smokeless options often flavoured, flashy, and made to look harmless. And because they’re everywhere on social media, in music videos, with celebrities they seem less dangerous than they really are.
Young people are at risk. Flavors like Fruits, mint, or bubble-gum make vaping feel more like candy than a health hazard. Add in peer pressure and stress, and it’s easy to see why so many teenagers start even when they know it’s not great for them.
According to recent global studies, nearly 9 out of 10 smokers start before the age of 18, and more than 37 million youth aged 13–15 use tobacco in some form.
What It Does to the Heart — From the First Puff
Tobacco’s link to cancer is well known, but its impact on the heart and how quickly that damage begins doesn’t get nearly enough attention.
Here’s what really happens:
You don’t have to be a long-time smoker to be at risk. The heart starts feeling the strain early even in people who smoke or vape only occasionally.
According to the World Health Organization, over 1.9 million people die every year from tobacco-related heart conditions.
Tobacco users are 2 to 4 times more likely to develop heart disease than non-users, and those who start young are at significantly higher risk of early cardiovascular complications.
The Long-Term Cost of a Short-Term Habit
The younger someone starts using tobacco, the harder it is to stop. And the more years of damage the heart will endure. Many young users don’t realize until much later that what felt like a small habit was actually putting their future health at risk.
Doctors today are seeing more heart-related issues in younger people not just in their 50s or 60s, but in their 20s and 30s. Tobacco plays a big role in that trend.
The Heart Deserves Better
Tobacco may look different now, but the damage it causes is still the same. Behind every colourful vape and relaxed puff is a heart working harder than it should. This World No Tobacco Day, let’s stop and ask ourselves: what are we really choosing when we choose tobacco?
Let’s protect the hearts we have. And help others do the same — with truth, not trends. Let’s choose better — for a healthier future and a heart that lasts.
